Glen McDonald: Workplace Safety & Health Officer

Quote

I would hate to think of how the injuries would increase if we were not in workplaces doing inspections and educating workers in our classrooms.

Local 26 - Civil Service, Legal Component

Every day, workplace safety and health officers help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. It’s their job to help make Manitoba job sites safer for the sake of workers and their families.

“I‘ve been involved in workplace safety for over thirty years and really enjoy helping make workplaces safer,” says WSHO Glen McDonald. “I would hate to think of how the injuries would increase if we were not in workplaces doing inspections and educating workers in our classrooms.”

In carrying out their duties, WSHOs help reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the job by inspecting workplaces, enforcing safety and health legislation and educating workers about the importance of workplace safety.

In April of this year, the Province of Manitoba announced it was hiring an additional five safety and health officers, bringing the total to 74 officers doing inspections across the province. The additional staff has helped to reduce the time-loss injury rate by about 30 per cent since 2000, saving the Manitoba economy over $100 million annually.

The additional WSHOs allows the province to reach more workplaces, increase inspections in high-hazard industries, such as construction and manufacturing, develop more proactive initiatives in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, and increase enforcement in workplaces most likely to employ new, young and immigrant workers. These workers also allow for more occupational safety and health committees to be established, while continuing to increase training and education opportunities by developing and delivering new programs.

Investing in safety and health inspectors is one area which will truly save Manitobans money in the long-run.